Press Release: CAIR: Muslims Voice Concerns to Danish Ambassador

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/3/2006) – Representatives of the American Muslim community met with the Danish ambassador in Washington, D.C., on Monday to discuss their concerns about defamatory caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad originally published in Denmark. In the meeting at the Danish embassy, in CAIR officials stressed the need for interfaith and intercultural dialogue and mutual respect. Ambassador Friis Arne Petersen reiterated his government’s position on the importance of a free press, but said that freedom of express should be exercised with mutual respect and understanding.

CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad urged the Danish government to stand by that nation’s Muslim community and offered to share his group’s experience with past issues of interfaith understanding.

Awad said CAIR is in communication with Danish Muslim leaders to discuss ways to defend the Prophet Muhammad's image through educational activities and interfaith initiatives.

CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to:

http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About

CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair-net.org; Rabiah Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail: rahmed@cair-net.org.